ITEC 7410: SIP Plan/Technology Plan Analysis

Name: Tori Sinco Semester: Summer 2016

Type your answers below (ie. minimum of 2-5 sentences per question as appropriate).

School Improvement Plan Analysis:

What is your schools mission/vision?

Sixes Elementary School will provide a safe, creative environment characterized
by trust, respect, and academic excellence. All students will be provided with the
knowledge, attitudes, and life skills to help them grow into self-sufficient,
responsible citizens and life-long learners. A partnership of students, family,
faculty, and community will work together to achieve this goal.
What are the targeted areas for improvement (ex. fourth-grade math, improved
LA scores for ESOL population, etc.) and the specific goals related to this
improvement area that are set forth in the SIP (ex. % gain in CRCT scores)?
The Sixes Elementary School Improvement Plan focuses are two targeted areas
for improvement, writing and technology. The first goal is to improve teaching
and learning as reflected by the percentage of students in Levels 3 and 4 on the
Georgia Milestones through developing writing skills across all core subject areas.
The second goal is to utilize technology to improve teaching and learning.
How does your SIP address the needs of diverse populations regarding digital
technology equity for low SES and gender groups (ie. females) and assistive
technology for disabled learners? If it does not, what are your recommendations?
While the SIP does not specifically mention low SES and gender groups with
regards to technology equity, it does mention plans for utilizing technology with
all students. The SIP specifically mentions utilization of the iPad labs and Surface
Pro labs in grades K-5. It also mentions the teachers participation in the
Microsoft Innovative Educator initiative, which brings Skype, Sway, Office365, and
Office Mix into almost every classroom.
 How is technology included in the SIP? In what ways is student technology literacy
included as a goal in your SIP? If it is not, what are your recommendations?
Technology is one of the main focuses of the Sixes Elementary School
Improvement Plan. One of the action strategies to effectively increase technology
use within the school is the development and utilization of student technology
skills/expectations checklist by grade level.
Why is technology is addressed (or not addressed!) as it is? [Additional Field
Experience option if interviewing others in the school to find this history.]
Are you pleased with the current treatment of technology-related issues in the
SIP? Why or why not?
I was pleased with the treatment of technology-related issues in the Sixes
Elementary School Improvement Plan. The plan addresses both student
technology literacy as well as the need for teacher training to incorporate
technology in innovative ways.
Would you like to see technology issues represented differently in future SIPs?
Why?
I was pleased with the way technology issues were represented and would not
desire to see them represented differently in future SIPs. I feel that training
should always be included so that teachers can be highly effective at
incorporating technology.
What are your first thoughts of how technology could contribute toward achieving
the mission/vision/goals set forth in your school improvement plan?
The main vision of Sixes Elementary is to properly prepare students for the future
so that they may live as responsible and self-sufficient citizens. Since we live in a
digital age where technology is utilized in nearly every workplace, it is important
for students to be technology literate and able to utilize technology effectively.
Without providing students with technology skills, I dont believe we are
preparing them for the future.
How might technology be integrated more effectively into your SIP in the future?
 The SIP could detail the courses educators will be participating in to more
effectively integrate technology. Those unfamiliar with the Microsoft Innovative
Educator program and local district trainings may not understand what change is
happening within the school.

District Technology Plan Analysis:

(Note: Most districts do have a plan. Contact district-level personnel for a copy if
needed.)

What are the three main curriculum goals in your districts technology plan?
There are 6 goals outlined in the Cherokee County Technology Plan, though 3 focus
mainly on curriculum. Those areas include Learning, Teaching, and Assessment. The
additional 3 goals include Productivity, Infrastructure, and Community.
What strategies are outlined for achieving these goals?
A strategy for achieving each goal is specifically identified in the technology plan. Each
goal specifies multiple strategies for achieving that goal (the learning goal alone
contains 11 strategies). Also outlined is benchmark/success indicators, evaluation
method, funding source, and person responsible. While I reading through the Cherokee
technology plan, I found the strategies outlined for achieving the identified goals as
extremely thorough.
Does the plan seem achievable over the designated timeline? Why?
The plan seems achievable over the designated timeline. The technology plan covers a
3-year span and includes phases of implementation for programs, strategies, etc. Not
plans seem overly ambitious or unachievable.
In what ways would you like to see the plan improved?
The plan impressed me with its thoroughness (74 pages). I couldnt come up with
improvements that need to be made. It clearly outlined a vision for technology use, the
current reality within the county, gaps, specific goals and strategies to reach those,
software/online resources, board policies related to technology, Internet safety
guidelines, and BYLD (Bring Your own Learning Device) initiative information.
 What could you, in your current or a future position, do to help support implementation
of the plan?
In my current position, I am an active participant in many of the strategies outlined
within the goals in the areas of Learning, Teaching, and Assessment. Many of these
include strategies discussing teacher trainings or implementations of programs.
How does the plan address the needs of diverse populations regarding digital technology
equity for low SES and gender groups (ie. females) and assistive technology for disabled
learners? If it does not, what are your recommendations?
The plan details the digital equity within the school district. For example, all elementary
schools within the district, regardless of SES, have the same technology available to the
students within them. The BYLD program also brings additional technology into the
classroom, allowing district-owned technology to be utilized by students unable to bring
their own device to school.
In what ways does the plan tie-in to your local SIP?
The district plan ties into the local SIP through its discussion of teacher technology
training.

School Tech Plan Status:

(Note: Most schools will not have a tech plan. In this case students can only answer
question one and maybe elaborate on why there is no plan and if there ever was a
history of tech planning at that school at all.)
Is there a technology plan that is separate from the SIP at your school? If so, when
and how was it created?
There is not, and has not ever been, a technology plan separate from the SIP at
Sixes Elementary School.
Do members of the school community know about the tech plan?
Is it being implemented effectively? Why or why not?
What strategies could be implemented to help accelerate adoption of the plan?